Gender Scholar Unpacks The "Hidden Brain Drain" Companies Face

Over a year ago

by Zachary Shtogren

Sylvia Hewlett consults organizations worldwide on the value of diversity in
their ranks. In her conversation with Big Think this afternoon, she had
one message for companies: shun women and minorities at your peril.

Task Force Director at the Center for Work-Life Policy, Hewlett is regularly turned to for her expertise on leveraging minority talent.

A recession, Hewlett said, was an optimal time for managers to consider the value of diversity in their companies. She reflected that an organizational lack of women and minorities is not only a drain on human capital but, more importantly, doesn't reflect the demographics of the professional globe at the moment.

Two particular trouble spots, Hewlett noted, were India and China where
"sophisticated takes on the value of diversity" like hers are not even on most
companies' radars.

Big Think Edge helps organizations by catalyzing conversation around the topics most critical to 21st century business success. Led by the world’s foremost experts, our dynamic learning programs are short-form, mobile, and immediately actionable.